The tornado that plowed through Arabi last night was an EF-3; packing 135 mile-an-hour winds. St. Bernard parish President Guy McInnis says damage is extensive, but could have been worse. He discourages people from making sight-seeing drives through the area, as many roads are still impassible or filled with emergency workers…:

CUT 04  (11)        recovery stuff

Only one person – a 25-year-old man – is reported dead.

Lifelong Arabi resident Tony Vitale’s home was demolished by the twister. He says so were virtually all other homes on his block…:

CUT 07(16)      completely gone.

The HUD announcement of $450 million for those recovering in southwest Louisiana from 2020’s Hurricane Laura is welcome news in Calcasieu Parish. Alberto Galan who’s overseeing Long Term Recovery for the parish says the funding will in large part finally help with those unmet housing needs…:

CUT 11(08)      the ground

And while the state is awaiting those funds Galan encourages those in need to first fill out a survey with the state’s Office of Community Development.

An Oklahoma Air National Guard F-16 fighter jet crashed this morning in a wooded area south of Deridder, in Beauregard parish. The pilot was able to eject safely. The crash is under investigation.

LSU formally introduced Matt McMahon as the new men’s basketball head coach today. McMahon comes from Murray State. McMahon’s contract is reportedly worth $20.3-million over seven years.